Apsheron Regional Joint Stock Water Company, a company owned by the Azerbaijan government, has signed an US$18M contract with UK company Weir Engineering Services (WES). Under the agreement, WES will refurbish and replace mechanical and electrical equipment at 27 water pumping stations around Baku.
WES is planning to carry out the refurbishment in co-operation with Azneftikimash, an Azeri state-owned manufacturer.
A detailed engineering survey has already begun, which will be followed by design and procurement studies. Work on the main contract is scheduled to start in mid-1998 and will take about two-and-a-half years to complete.
The WES contract is the single largest agreement in a US$100M Greater Baku water rehabilitation project which is being funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.